• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

My Active Kitchen

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Collections of quick and easy recipes
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Shop
    • Delivery Information
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » How to's and DIY's » How To Preserve Yam (How To Freeze Yam)

    Published: Jan 3, 2022 by Ajoke

    How To Preserve Yam (How To Freeze Yam)

    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Have you ever wondered how to preserve yam at home for long? Here is a quick guide on how to freeze yam in simple steps without compromising its taste and quality.

    This method is for African yam but it can also be used to freeze sweet potatoes as well.

    frozen African yam slices on a counter.

    Why do you need to freeze yam

    • You can enjoy yam all year round, you can buy yam when it is in season and still fresh
    • it is simple and easy and no blanching is required.
    • It saves money and reduces food waste, while it does take time to peel depending on how many tubers you need to get through. When you freeze it, it stops it from getting spoiled. Truth be told, I find peeling yam therapeutic.
    • Frozen yam can be cooked directly from frozen. Yes, you read that right, there is no need to defrost frozen yam before you boil or fry it.
    • Great for food portioning.

    Do I need to flash freeze

    Flash freezing is a method for preserving food, which involves freezing the food quickly for a few hours before the longer storage in the freezer. It is a better process than conventional freezer storage. This quick freezing method helps to preserve flavor and nutritional value while preventing the formation of large ice crystals that can change a food's texture.

    There are two ways to go about freezing peeled raw yam, you can decide to flash freeze it before storing it in the freezer or freeze without flash freezing. Both methods work, but truth be told, you will need to have a big freezer to be able to flash freeze yam because of the quantity.

    That said, flash freezing is better than the other method as the yam will remain frozen individually for as long as it is kept in the freezer.

    yam slices in a in a pot covered with water.

    What you will need

    Large Ziploc freezer bag

    Rimmed baking tray

    Parchment paper

    Sharp knife

    Large bowl

    How to freeze yam

    Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and fill a bowl with water and set it aside

    Slice and peel the yam in circular shapes or strips if you would be frying it. Drop the peeled yam in the bowl of water to stop discoloration. Repeat this process until you have exhausted the tubers of yams you intend to preserve.

    Rinse the yam until clean and clear of debris then transfer to a colander to drain water.

    the process of peeling and cleaning yam.

    Method 1: If you would be flash freezing, arrange the peeled yam on the prepared lined baking sheet in a single layer. Place it in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 hours, afterwards, transfer the frozen yam into a Ziploc bag and return to the freezer. Freeze for 6 months to 1 year.

    yam slices on a lined baking sheet.

    Method 2: Transfer the cleaned and drained yam into a large Ziploc bag, make sure it is not overcrowded, and don't stack it as well. Close the Ziploc bag making sure to remove excess air as much as possible. Place the yam in the freezer flat if possible and freeze for 6 months to 1 year.

    yam strips.

    How long to freeze yam

    Yam freezes very well, you can store it for up to 1 year depending on how fresh the yam is when you start preserving it.

    Do I need to thaw the yam before cooking

    No, there is no need to defrost frozen yam before cooking or frying. You can cook it directly from frozen without affecting its taste and quality.

    Watch how to make it

    What to cook with frozen yam

    Asaro (yam porridge)

    Fried yam

    Boiled yam

    More how-to recipe

    How to fry plantain

    How to make fufu from scratch

    Easy way to freeze okra

    How to clean cow tongue

    How to make oat flour

    If you preserve your African yam using this article, don’t forget to leave me feedback. Tag me @myactivekitchen on Instagram and save away to your Pinterest

    frozen yam slices.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    How To Freeze Yam

    Have you ever wondered how to preserve yam at home for long? Here is a quick guide on how to freeze yam in simple steps without compromising its taste and quality. This method is for African yam but it can also be used to freeze sweet potatoes as well.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time0 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: African, American, Nigerian
    Keyword: how to freeze yam, how to preserve yam
    Servings: 4
    Author: Ajoke

    Ingredients

    • 1 tuber of yam

    Instructions

    • Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper and fill a bowl with water and set it aside
    • Slice and peel the yam in circular shapes or strips if you would be frying it. Drop the peeled yam in the bowl of water to stop discoloration. Repeat this process until you have exhausted the tubers of yams you intend to preserve.
    • Rinse the yam until clean and clear of debris then transfer to a colander to drain water.

    Method 1

    • If you would be flash freezing, arrange the peeled yam on the prepared lined baking sheet in a single layer. Place it in the freezer and freeze for up to 2 hours, afterwards, transfer the frozen yam into a Ziploc bag and return to the freezer. Freeze for 6 months to 1 year.

    Method 2

    • Transfer the cleaned and drained yam into a large Ziploc bag, make sure it is not overcrowded, and don't stack it as well. Close the Ziploc bag making sure to remove excess air as much as possible. Place the yam in the freezer flat if possible and freeze for 6 months to 1 year.

    Notes

    Do I need to thaw the yam before cooking
    No, there is no need to defrost frozen yam before cooking or frying. You can cook it directly from frozen without affecting its taste and quality.
    « 9 Ways to Reduce Food Waste

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Teresa says

      October 29, 2022 at 11:09 pm

      5 stars
      Turned out great! I look forward to eating my garden yams all year.

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth says

      May 01, 2022 at 9:50 pm

      5 stars
      Thanks a lot this was so educating.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

    Hello, my name is Ajoke, and welcome to my food world,  I love to cook in my lively little kitchen. Join me in the adventure of cooking what we all call warm, hearty, and quick meals...

    More about me →

    Copyright © 2023 My Active Kitchen on the Brunch Pro Theme